Calvin: Institutes Chapters 3.15.4. to 3.15.8.

INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION

By
John Calvin

BOOK THIRD.
THE MODE OF OBTAINING THE GRACE OF CHRIST. THE
BENEFITS IT CONFERS, AND THE
EFFECTS RESULTING FROM IT.

CHAPTER 15.
THE BOASTED MERIT OF WORKS SUBVERSIVE BOTH OF THE GLORY OF GOD, IN BESTOWING RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND OF THE CERTAINTY OF SALVATION.

3.15.4.

So how do we understand God's pleasure in what we do? Does it bring some sort of merit? "It is the doctrine of Scripture, moreover, that our good works are constantly covered with numerous stains by which God is justly offended and made angry against us, so far are they from being able to conciliate him, and call forth his favor towards us; and yet because of his indulgence, he does not examine them with the utmost strictness, he accepts them just as if they were most pure; and therefore rewards them, though undeserving, with innumerable blessings, both present and future."

This right understanding of Calvin regarding our good works must also be understood that such conduct is also honored in the life to come, but all this not to bring glory upon the person, "but the gifts, which he has bestowed upon us."

3.15.5.

Certainly the Gospel is that Christ has become for us righteousness and this He was ordained to do for us, the elect, before the foundation of the world and bring us into His family by grace through faith. We are adopted and His sons and granted His Spirit that we might do the works that He has called us to do. Yet no good works will make us singularily righteous. We continue to stand in need of His grace. "Though we are still foolish, he is our wisdom; though we are still sinners he is our righteousness; though we are unclean, he is our purity; though we are weak, unarmed, and exposed to Satan, yet ours is the power which has been given him in heaven and in earth, to bruise Satan under our feet, and burst the gates of hell (Mt. 28:18); though we still bear about with us a body of death, he is our life; in short, all things of his are ours, we have all things in him, he nothing in us."

3.15.6.

The heresy of the Roman Church is that they say Christ has "merited for us the first grace, that is, the occasion of meriting, and that it is our part not to let slip the occasion thus offered." The Scriptures never teach, as many Arminians do, that faith in Christ has given us the opportunity, the chance to become saved. Christ died and rose again that all who believe in Him, are indeed those whom He died for and are saved (not potentially saved).

3.15.7.

These heretics and those that erode Christian truth proclaim a type of faith (a formed faith) that gives them "faith they have good works which avail to justification." What horrid doctrine.

3.15 .8.

"See how it is that we do not justify men before God by works, but say, that all who are of God are regenerated and made new creatures, so that they pass from the kingdom of sin into the kingdom of righteousness. In this way they make their calling sure, and, like trees, are judged by their fruits."

Question To Consider:

1. What must happen in order for any good to proceed from us at all?